Boston Celtics: Three reasons to watch

With the 2016-17 NBA season on the horizon, USA TODAY Sports highlights the top three reasons to watch all 30 teams. We also recap any significant moves made in the offseason and project how your favorite team will finish.

Watchability ranking: 8th

What’s different?: The Celtics struck out on Kevin Durant, but Al Horford is quite a consolation. The versatile center should fit seamlessly with the Celtics. They drafted Jaylen Brown, a raw, athletic wing out of California, at No.3.

Horford a missing piece? That’s evidently what the Celtics sold him on. Brad Stevens has formed a winning culture with buy-in from his scrappy players. Horford, a four-time All-Star, is by no means scrappy, and his decision to join the Celtics’ promising core validates moves by the front office. Entering his 10th season, Horford is averaging about 15 points and seven rebounds per game. His rim protection should anchor a stingy defense.

Is Isaiah Thomas ever not exciting? Thomas is 5-9 and 185 pounds but plays with an Allen Iverson-sized heart. He made his first All-Star team last year and carried the Celtics offense in the playoffs. Horford should relieve a ton of offensive pressure, and even though Thomas is a ball-dominant guard, it’s hard not to see the two working on a tandem pick-and-pop game. He’ll be even more effective if Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart improve their three-point shooting.

All things Celtics: Latest Boston Celtics news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Budding Cleveland rivalry: These teams faced off two seasons ago in a feisty series rife with ejections and hard fouls. Horford is familiar with the Cavaliers, having been swept out of the playoffs by them the past two seasons. The Celtics should contend with the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers for the No. 2 seed and an inevitable clash with LeBron James and Co. Do the Celtics, as constructed, have the personnel to beat Cleveland? Keep in mind, Boston still has two of the Nets’ first-round picks to add a playmaker throughout next season. Until they beat them, the Celtics have to consider each move they make in the context of the Cavs.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

(Statistics from 2015-16 season)

• Isaiah Thomas - Points: 22.2, assists: 6.2, rebounds: 3.0, steals: 1.1, field goal percentage: 43.7%
• Avery Bradley - Points: 15.2, rebounds: 2.9, assists: 2.1, steals: 1.5, field goal percentage: 44.7%
• Jae Crowder - Points: 14.2, rebounds: 5.1, assists: 1.8, steals: 1.7, field goal percentage: 44.3%
• Al Horford (with Atlanta) - Points: 15.2, rebounds: 7.3, assists: 3.2, blocks: 1.5, field goal percentage: 50.5%
• ​Amir Johnson - Points: 7.3, rebounds: 6.4, assists: 1.7, blocks: 1.1, field goal percentage: 58.5%

How good can they be? The Celtics win 50 games and improve again. They also reach the Eastern Conference finals.

USA TODAY’s projection: 50-32

Follow Michael Singer on Twitter @MSinger